The Wilmingtonian., 1887-05-14
Standing Committees.

to the consideration Uf conditions in our
body polite, which, though they may be ap-
preciated, to a tain degree, and th"t dim
", by certain number, still did not receive
thar consideration from us as body to
which they are entitled.
Mr.. Spruance spoke of the necessity Of the
existence of standing committees whose duty
it should be to prepare legislation for pres
entat:on to organizations such as those whom
the speaker addressed, which legislation be-
ing duly considered would then be in con-
dition for presentation to the assembly for
enactment aud incorporation into the laws
| of the lard.
Of course it is understood that the Citizens
Association of Wilmingtonis only just iDcel t
ed and therefore has not had Opportunity yet
to consider public matters and prepare them
for legislation But Mr.Spruance words had
comprehensive bearing. They related to the
absence of standing committees SIS a reeogni-
zed element in our body polite.
He regretted that fact fer very pertinent
reasons.
Being without such aid cur legislative
bodies. for instance the State Legislature are
in the habit of enacting any desired law
which after its passage must pass through
the ordeal, and pose as experimental legis!a-
ture. Wehaye in definite information, that
is to say our legislative bodies have not, by
which in enacting such laws the legislators
can say aught but that what they are doing
is experimental.
Most of our legislation both Sate and
Federal pal takes greatly of this phase OF
character.
Obviously this is unfor. innate. The enact
ment Of laws whose fate is that of 'uose-
quent abrogation is very much to be regret
fed And this for various sound reasons
ANY legislative body is possible of transact
ing given a,uount of work only in a given
|
time. The work of legislature is expen-
sye. 1t is expensive still more when it be
found that part of the sessions is given up to
experimental legislation. And this not alone
in account of the waste Of time in giving at
tentiou to such laws but also because they
too often crowd out other necessary and ur-
gent legislation.
A most notable Instance ofexperimenta
LEGISLATION is seen in the case of the Inter
State Commerce Law.
Now, we all concede that that question
demands urgent Congressional attention
But laws were passed too quickly, before the
matter lad been dgested or to any worthy
fextent investigated.
What results have we Why the mos
lauphable condition of things possible. Com
mence il derangsd, the law is roundly con
demned, aud by almost common consent il
asked to be repealed.
The fact is the Interstate law had no
been prouerly prepared for Congress.
Will have to be repealed as soon as possible
and law fitting the case, and divested o
the preseut ones commerce dersngiDg ele
: ments put in its place.
. The hurlrul element of passing exper men
tai legislation is rife here in our State also
Epactments exist, the authors OF whicl
plainly tell us are merely experimental.
Now although no community is posstb
t altogether, of getting free of the irksomeees
of laws of this nature, we must say that IT,
: evil can in great measure be les ened. TIL
, way out of the trouble, as Mr. Spruanoe sug
c pusted is to tai a lesson from the ccnturie
: of legislative experience of other bodies pc
itic. Tie speaker suggested the custom Q
the British parliament whose standing CON
mittees have always under consideration
$ the meditated legislation, so that when sue
) proposed measures up before parliament 10
: discussion and passage they are at least ire
from the aughable errors which character
ize a ureat deal Of our we'll meant but il
n prepared work here.
II The Citizeus' Association is the position
), A standing committee whose duties shout
be to prepare 6esiIed measures for presents
i, tion at Dover. The questions should be di
e. cussed however in open meeting. II othe
N wise done, the absence OF free comment, proan
: con, will very probably jeorardze practic
. results and develop conditions only the san
er as of the assembly itself had suddenly plum
Of ped certain laws upon the State wiihol
having previously given them the olpnrtu
ity Of free discussion among the people.
1t is stated again that %he suggestion
- Mr.. Spruance though not promising infalI
- BILE results is at any rate All earnest of mo
" practical progress in gojd laws than an
thing we have as yet heard of, and in mo
". opportune moment indi' ates an undDubt
or evil with its concurrent possibilities of an
tn lioiation.
- Flying Through the Air.
On the 30 Ii Of this month the Bait m,
and Ohio railroad will issue a new time CA